| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies | 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Basis of Presentation The accompanying financial statements are presented for both QTS Realty Trust, Inc. and QualityTech, LP. References to “QTS” mean QTS Realty Trust, Inc. and its controlled subsidiaries and references to the “Operating Partnership” mean QualityTech, LP and its controlled subsidiaries. The Operating Partnership meets the definition and criteria of a variable interest entity (“VIE”) in accordance with ASC 810 Consolidation QTS is the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership, and its only material asset consists of its ownership interest in the Operating Partnership. Management operates QTS and the Operating Partnership as one business. The management of QTS consists of the same employees as the management of the Operating Partnership. QTS does not conduct business itself, other than acting as the sole general partner of the Operating Partnership and issuing public equity from time to time. QTS has not issued or guaranteed any indebtedness. Except for net proceeds from public equity issuances by QTS, which are contributed to the Operating Partnership in exchange for units of limited partnership interest of the Operating Partnership, the Operating Partnership generates all remaining capital required by the business through its operations, the direct or indirect incurrence of indebtedness, and the issuance of partnership units. Therefore, as general partner with control of the Operating Partnership, QTS consolidates the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes. The Company believes, therefore, that providing one set of notes for the financial statements of QTS and the Operating Partnership provides the following benefits: ● enhances investors’ understanding of QTS and the Operating Partnership by enabling investors to view the business as a whole in the same manner as management views and operates the business; ● eliminates duplicative disclosure and provides a more streamlined and readable presentation since a substantial portion of the disclosure applies to both QTS and the Operating Partnership; and ● creates time and cost efficiencies through the preparation of one set of notes instead of two separate sets of notes. In addition, in light of these combined notes, the Company believes it is important for investors to understand the few differences between QTS and the Operating Partnership in the context of how QTS and the Operating Partnership operate as a consolidated company. With respect to balance sheets, the presentation of stockholders’ equity and partners’ capital are the main areas of difference between the consolidated balance sheets of QTS and those of the Operating Partnership. On the Operating Partnership’s consolidated balance sheets, partners’ capital includes preferred partnership units and common partnership units as well as accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) that are owned by QTS and other partners. On QTS’ consolidated balance sheets, stockholders’ equity includes preferred stock, common stock, additional paid in capital, accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and accumulated dividends in excess of earnings. The remaining equity reflected on QTS’ consolidated balance sheet is the portion of net assets that are retained by partners other than QTS, referred to as noncontrolling interests. With respect to statements of operations, the primary difference in QTS' Statements of Operations and Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) is that for net income (loss), QTS retains its proportionate share of the net income (loss) based on its ownership of the Operating Partnership, with the remaining balance being retained by the Operating Partnership. These combined notes refer to actions or holdings as being actions or holdings of “the Company.” Although the Operating Partnership is generally the entity that enters into contracts, holds assets and issues debt, management believes that these general references to “the Company” in this context is appropriate because the business is one enterprise operated through the Operating Partnership. As discussed above, QTS owns no operating assets and has no operations independent of the Operating Partnership and its subsidiaries. Also, the Operating Partnership owns no operating assets and has no operations independent of its subsidiaries. Obligations under the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025 and the unsecured credit facility, both discussed in Note 8, are fully, unconditionally, and jointly and severally guaranteed by the Operating Partnership’s existing subsidiaries (other than certain foreign subsidiaries and receivables entities) and future subsidiaries that guarantee any indebtedness of QTS Realty Trust, Inc., the Operating Partnership, QTS Finance Corporation (the co-issuer of the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025) or any subsidiary guarantor. The indenture governing the 4.75% Senior Notes due 2025 restricts the ability of the Operating Partnership to make distributions to QTS, subject to certain exceptions, including distributions required in order for QTS to maintain its status as a real estate investment trust under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The interim consolidated financial statements of QTS Realty Trust, Inc. include the accounts of QTS Realty Trust, Inc. and its majority owned subsidiaries. This includes the operating results of the Operating Partnership for all periods presented. Use of Estimates Principles of Consolidation We evaluate our investments in unconsolidated entities to determine whether they should be recorded on a consolidated basis. The percentage of ownership interest in the entity, an evaluation of control and whether a VIE exists are all considered in our consolidation assessment. Investments in real estate entities which we have the ability to exercise significant influence, but do not have financial or operating control, are accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Accordingly, our share of the earnings or losses of these entities is included in consolidated net income (loss). Variable Interest Entities (VIEs) We analyze any investments in VIEs to determine if we are the primary beneficiary. In evaluating whether we are the primary beneficiary, we evaluate our direct and indirect economic interests in the entity. A reporting entity is determined to be the primary beneficiary if it holds a controlling financial interest in the VIE. Determining which reporting entity, if any, has a controlling financial interest in a VIE is primarily a qualitative approach focused on identifying which reporting entity has both (1) the power to direct the activities of a VIE that most significantly impact such entity’s economic performance and (2) the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from such entity that could potentially be significant to such entity. Performance of that analysis requires the exercise of judgment. We consider a variety of factors in identifying the entity that holds the power to direct matters that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance including, but not limited to, the ability to direct financing, leasing, construction and other operating decisions and activities. In addition, we consider the rights of other investors to participate in those decisions, to replace the manager and to sell or liquidate the entity. We determine whether we are the primary beneficiary of a VIE at the time we become involved with a variable interest entity and reconsider that conclusion continually. As of June 30, 2019, we had one unconsolidated entity that was considered a VIE for which we are not the primary beneficiary. Our maximum exposure to losses associated with this VIE is limited to our aggregate investment, which was approximately $33 million as of June 30, 2019. Reclassifications Real Estate Assets Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the lesser of 20 years or through the end of the respective life of the lease. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. For the three months ended June 30, 2019, depreciation expense related to real estate assets and non-real estate assets was $29.5 million and $2.9 million, respectively, for a total of $32.4 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2018, depreciation expense related to real estate assets and non-real estate assets was $25.0 million and $3.1 million, respectively, for a total of $28.1 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, depreciation expense related to real estate assets and non-real estate assets was $57.0 million and $5.8 million, respectively, for a total of $62.8 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2018, depreciation expense related to real estate assets and non-real estate assets was $48.6 million and $6.4 million, respectively, for a total of $55.0 million. We capitalize certain development costs, including internal costs incurred in connection with development. The capitalization of costs during the construction period (including interest and related loan fees, property taxes and other direct and indirect costs) begins when development efforts commence and ends when the asset is ready for its intended use. Capitalization of such costs, excluding interest, aggregated to $4.0 million and $3.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $8.5 million and $7.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Interest is capitalized during the period of development by applying our weighted average effective borrowing rate to the actual development and other capitalized costs paid during the construction period. Interest is capitalized until the property is ready for its intended use. Interest costs capitalized totaled $8.4 million and $6.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $16.2 million and $11.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Acquisitions and Sales Business Combinations In developing estimates of fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, management analyzes a variety of factors including market data, estimated future cash flows of the acquired operations, industry growth rates, current replacement cost for fixed assets and market rate assumptions for contractual obligations. Such a valuation requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, particularly with respect to the intangible assets. Acquired in-place leases are amortized as amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining life of the underlying leases. This amortization expense is accounted for as real estate amortization expense. Acquired customer relationships are amortized as amortization expense on a straight-line basis over the expected life of the customer relationship. This amortization expense is accounted for as real estate amortization expense. Other acquired intangible assets, which includes platform, above or below market leases, and trade name intangibles, are amortized on a straight-line basis over their respective expected lives. Above or below market leases are amortized as a reduction to or increase in rental revenue when we are the lessor as well as a reduction to or increase in rent expense over the remaining lease terms when we are the lessee. The expense associated with trade name intangibles is accounted for as real estate amortization expense, whereas the expense associated with the amortization of platform intangibles is accounted for as non-real estate amortization expense. We account for the sale of assets to non-customers under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-05, Other Income—Gains and Losses from the Derecognition of Nonfinancial Assets Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Intangible Assets and Goodwill 3.1 7.1 The fair value of goodwill is the consideration transferred in a business combination which is not allocable to identifiable intangible and tangible assets. Goodwill is subject to at least an annual assessment for impairment. In connection with the goodwill impairment evaluation that we performed as of October 1, 2018, we determined qualitatively that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of our one reporting unit was less than the carrying amount, thus we did not perform a quantitative analysis. As we continue to operate and assess our goodwill at the consolidated level for our single reporting unit and our market capitalization significantly exceeds our net asset value, further analysis was not deemed necessary as of June 30, 2019. Assets Held for Sale – Cash and Cash Equivalents Deferred Costs Deferred financing costs represent fees and other costs incurred in connection with obtaining debt and are amortized over the term of the loan and are included in interest expense. Debt issuance costs related to revolving debt arrangements are deferred and presented as assets on the balance sheet; however, all other debt issuance costs are recorded as a direct offset to the associated liability. Amortization of debt issuance costs, including those costs presented as offsets to the associated liability in the consolidated balance sheet, was $1.0 million for both the three months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively, and $2.0 million and $1.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Deferred financing costs presented as assets on the balance sheet related to revolving debt arrangements, net of accumulated amortization, are as follows: June 30, December 31, (dollars in thousands) 2019 2018 (unaudited) Deferred financing costs $ 11,488 $ 11,530 Accumulated amortization (4,812) (3,859) Deferred financing costs, net $ 6,676 $ 7,671 Deferred financing costs presented as offsets to the associated liabilities on the balance sheet related to fixed debt arrangements, net of accumulated amortization, are as follows: June 30, December 31, (dollars in thousands) 2019 2018 (unaudited) Deferred financing costs $ 14,608 $ 14,501 Accumulated amortization (3,947) (2,944) Deferred financing costs, net $ 10,661 $ 11,557 Initial direct costs, or deferred leasing costs, include commissions paid to third parties, including brokers, leasing and referral agents, and internal sales commissions paid to employees for successful execution of lease agreements and are accounted for pursuant to ASC 842, Leases Revenue from Contracts with Customers. June 30, December 31, (dollars in thousands) 2019 2018 (unaudited) Deferred leasing costs $ 69,763 $ 63,018 Accumulated amortization (29,777) (25,593) Deferred leasing costs, net $ 39,986 $ 37,425 Revenue Recognition – Leases Revenue from Contracts with Customers single combined lease component under ASC 842. See the “Recently Adopted Accounting Standards” section below for further details. A description of each of our disaggregated revenue streams is as follows: Rental Revenue Our leases with customers are classified as operating leases and rental revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the customer lease term. Occasionally, customer leases include options to extend or terminate the lease agreements. We do not include any of these extension or termination options in a customer’s lease term for lease classification purposes or recognizing rental revenue unless it is reasonably certain the customer will exercise these extension or termination options. Rental revenue also includes revenue from power delivery on fixed power arrangements, whereby customers are billed and pay a fixed monthly fee per committed available amount of connected power. These fixed power arrangements require us to provide a series of distinct services and stand ready to deliver the power over the contracted term which is co-terminus with the lease. Customer fixed power arrangements have the same pattern of transfer over the lease term as the lease component and are therefore combined with the lease component to form a single lease component that is recognized over the term of the lease on a straight line basis. In addition, rental revenue includes straight line rent. Straight line rent represents the difference in rents recognized during the period versus amounts contractually due pursuant to the underlying leases and is recorded as deferred rent receivable/payable in the consolidated balance sheets. For lease agreements that provide for scheduled rent increases, rental income is recognized on a straight-line basis over the non-cancellable term of the leases, which commences when control of the space has been provided to the customer. The amount of the straight-line rent receivable on the balance sheets included in rents and other receivables, net was $32.4 million and $29.7 million as of June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Rental revenue also includes amortization of set-up fees which are amortized over the term of the respective lease as discussed below. Variable Lease Revenue from Recoveries Certain customer leases contain provisions under which customers reimburse us for power and cooling-related charges as well as a portion of the property’s real estate taxes, insurance and other operating expenses. Recoveries of power and cooling-related expenses relate specifically to our variable power arrangements, whereby customers pay variable monthly fees for the specific amount of power utilized at the current utility rates. Our performance obligation is to stand ready to deliver power over the life of the customer contract up to a contracted power capacity. Customers have the flexibility to increase or decrease the amount of power consumed, and therefore sub-metered power revenue is constrained at contract inception. The reimbursements are included in revenue as recoveries from customers and are recognized each month as the uncertainty related to the consideration is resolved (i.e. we provide power to our customers) and customers utilize the power. Reimbursement of real estate taxes, insurance, common area maintenance, or other operating expenses are accounted for as variable payments under lease guidance pursuant to the practical expedient and are recognized as revenue in the period that the expenses are recognized. Variable lease revenue from recoveries discussed above, including power, common area maintenance or other operating costs, have the same pattern of transfer over the lease term as the lease component and are therefore combined with the lease component to form a single lease component. Variable lease revenue from recoveries is included within the “rental” line item of the statement of operations. Other Revenue Other revenue primarily consists of revenue from our cloud and managed service offerings. We, through our TRS, may provide both our cloud product and use of our managed services to our customers on an individual or combined basis. In both our cloud and managed services offerings the TRS’s performance obligation is to provide services (e.g. cloud hosting, data backup, data storage or data center personnel labor hours) to facilitate a fully integrated information technology (“IT”) outsourcing environment over a contracted term. Although underlying services may vary, over the contracted term monthly service offerings are substantially the same and we account for the services as a series of distinct services in accordance with ASC 606. Service fee revenue is recognized as the revenue is earned, which generally coincides with the services being provided. As we have the right to consideration from customers in an amount that corresponds directly with the value to the customer of the TRS’s performance of providing continuous services, we recognize monthly revenue for the amount invoiced. With respect to the transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations within our cloud and managed service contracts, we have elected to use the optional exemption provided by ASC 606 whereby we are not required to estimate the total transaction price allocated to remaining performance obligations as we apply the “right-to-invoice” practical expedient. As described above, the nature of our performance obligation in these contracts is to provide monthly services that are substantially the same and accounted for as a series of distinct services. These contracts generally have a remaining term ranging from month-to-month to three years. Management fees and other revenues are generally received from our unconsolidated affiliate properties as well as third parties. Management fee revenue is earned based on a contractual percentage of unconsolidated affiliate property revenue. Development fee revenue is earned on a contractual percentage of hard costs to develop a property. We recognize revenue for these services provided when earned based on the performance criteria in ASC 606, with such revenue recorded in “Other” revenue on the consolidated statement of operations. Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable – Advance Rents and Security Deposits – Deferred Income – Foreign Currency - Equity-based Compensation plan. The aforementioned equity based compensation expense was included in the “Restructuring” expense line item on the consolidated statements of operations. Segment Information Customer Concentrations As of June 30, 2019, three of our customers exceeded 5% of trade accounts receivable. In aggregate, these three customers accounted for approximately 20% of trade accounts receivable. None of these customers individually exceeded 10% of trade accounts receivable. Income Taxes Acquisitions For the taxable REIT subsidiaries, income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. Valuation allowances are established when necessary to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount expected to be realized. A current and deferred tax expense has been recognized in the six months ended June 30, 2019, in connection with recorded operating activity. As of June 30, 2019, one of our taxable REIT subsidiaries is in a net deferred tax liability position primarily due to a valuation allowance against certain deferred tax assets. In considering whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will be realized, it has been determined that it is possible that some or all of our deferred tax assets could ultimately expire unused. We establish valuation allowances against deferred tax assets when the ability to fully utilize these benefits is determined to be uncertain. We provide a valuation allowance against deferred tax assets if, based on management’s assessment of operating results and other available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The evidence contemplated by management at June 30, 2019 consists of current and prior operating results, available tax planning strategies, and the scheduled reversal of existing taxable temporary differences. Evidence from the scheduled reversal of taxable temporary differences relies on management judgements based on the accumulation of available evidence. Those judgements may be subject to change in the future as evidence available to management changes. Management’s assessment of our valuation allowance may further change based on our generation of or ability to project future operating income, and changes in tax policy or tax planning strategies. We provide for income taxes during interim periods based on the estimated effective tax rate for the year. The effective tax rate is subject to change in the future due to various factors such as the operating performance of the taxable REIT subsidiaries, tax law changes, and future business acquisitions or divestitures. The taxable subsidiaries’ effective tax rates were (6.6%) and 10.8% for the six months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Fair Value Measurements Fair Value Measurement Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access. Level 2 inputs are inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly. Level 2 inputs may include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, as well as inputs that are observable for the asset or liability (other than quoted prices), such as interest rates, foreign exchange rates, and yield curves that are observable at commonly quoted intervals. Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, which are typically based on an entity’s own assumptions, as there is little, if any, related market activity. In instances where the determination of the fair value measurement is based on inputs from different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the entire fair value measurement falls is based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability. As of June 30, 2019, we valued our derivative instruments primarily utilizing Level 2 inputs. See Note 16 – ‘Fair Value of Financial Instruments’ for additional details. Recently Adopted Accounting Standards Revenue from Contracts with Customers In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued guidance codified in ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers Revenue Recognition Leases In February 2016, and further amended in 2018, the FASB issued ASC Topic 842, Leases Lease We adopted ASC 842 effective January 1, 2019 using the modified retrospective approach, which applied the provisions of the new guidance at the effective date without adjusting comparative periods presented. We elected a package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance within the new standard which allowed us to not reassess (i) whether expired or existing contracts contain a lease under the new standard, (ii) the lease classification for existing leases or (iii) whether previously-capitalized initial direct costs would qualify for capitalization under the new standard. We did not elect the hindsight practical expedient which permits entities to use hindsight in determining the lease term and assessing impairment. The adoption of ASC 842 impacted our consolidated balance sheet with the recognition of existing operating leases as lessee resulting in $62.9 million of ROU assets and $70.7 million of lease liabilities recorded as of January 1, 2019. We also recognized a $1.8 million cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings. The adjustment to retained earnings was due to an impairment of certain ROU assets associated with vacant office space for which we are a lessee and assumed in a prior acquisition. See the table below for the impact of adoption of the lease standard on our consolidated balance sheet as of January 1, 2019 (in thousands): As Previously New Lease Standard Reported Adjustment As Adjusted Operating lease right-of-use assets $ — $ 62,922 $ 62,922 Operating lease liabilities — 70,657 70,657 Deferred rent payable 5,922 (5,922) — As lessor, accounting for our leases will remain largely unchanged from ASC 840. The new lease standard more narrowly defines initial direct costs as only costs that are incremental to origination of a lease (i.e. costs that would not have been incurred had the lease not been obtained). We did not historically capitalize non-incremental costs, therefore this change will have no impact on the accounting for initial direct costs in the consolidated financial statements on a prospective basis. Additionally, from a lessor perspective, we elected a practical expedient which allows lessors to combine nonlease components with the related lease components if both the timing and pattern of transfer are the same for the nonlease component(s) and related lease component, and the lease component would be classified as an operating lease. The single combined component is accounted for under ASC 842 if the lease component is the predominant component and is accounted for under ASC 606 if the nonlease components are the predominant components. Lessors are permitted to apply the practical expedient to all existing leases on a retrospective or prospective basis. We elected the practical expedient to combine our lease and nonlease components that meet the defined criteria and will account for the combined lease component under ASC 842 on a prospective basis. New Accounting Pronouncements In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. The amendments in ASU 2018-13 eliminate the requirements to disclose the amount and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, valuation processes for Level 3 fair value measurements, and policy for timing of transfers between levels. ASU 2018-13 also provides clarification in the measurement uncertainty disclosure by explaining that the disclosure is to communicate information about the uncertainty in measurement as of the reporting date. In addition, ASU 2018-13 added the following requirements: changes in unrealized gains and losses for the period included in other comprehensive income for recurring Level 3 fair value measurements held at the end of the reporting period; and range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used in Level 3 fair value measurements. Finally, ASU 2018-13 updated language to further encourage entities to apply materiality when considering de minimus determination for disclosure requirements. The guidance will be applied retrospectively for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with the exception of amendments to changes in unrealized gains and losses, the range and weighted average of significant unobservable inputs used for Level 3 fair value measurements, and the narrative description of measurement uncertainty which will be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We do not expect the provisions of the standard will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software ( We determined all other recently issued accounting pronouncements will not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements or do not materially apply to our operations. |
